1/10

Vriesea Carinata

3.5 out of 5 (4 experiences)

Large, lush leaves

Browns easily

Also known as

Flaming Sword, Flaming Sword, Lobster Claw and Painted Feather

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Vriesea carinata

Genus

Vriesea

Family

Bromeliaceae

Order

Poales

How to care for Vriesea Carinata

💦 Water

How often to water your Vriesea Carinata

Vriesea Carinata needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Flaming Sword in your home

Vriesea Carinata may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Vriesea Carinata in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Vriesea Carinata

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Vriesea Carinata: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Vriesea Carinata after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #FlamingSword

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Vriesea Carinata thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Flaming Sword Water Frequency →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Vriesea Carinata may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Flaming Sword Light Requirements →

Flaming Sword Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Vriesea Carinata is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Vriesea Carinata does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Flaming Sword →

Best Pots for Flaming Sword →

When and How to Successfully Repot Flaming Sword →

What Are Healthy Flaming Sword Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Vriesea Carinata grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Flaming Sword →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Vriesea Carinata can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Flaming Sword Temperature Tolerance →

Flaming Sword Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Flaming Sword →

When to Plant Flaming Sword →

How to Plant Flaming Sword →

Where to Plant Flaming Sword →

Winter Care for Flaming Sword →

Best Companion Plants for Flaming Sword →

Is Flaming Sword a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Vriesea Carinata, since they are very sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.